State Prosecutor Davitt Announces Retirement

State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt will retire in August, he said in a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan.

"I have been fortunate to have an impressive, albeit small, group of dedicated and industrious lawyers, investigators and support staff and I am quite proud of the many successful investigations and prosecutions that our Office has undertaken," Davitt wrote.

His retirement is effective Aug. 1. Established in 1976, the office investigates election law violations as well as breaches of public ethics, bribery, misconduct in office and any related extortion, perjury or obstruction of justice.

Prior to becoming the state prosecutor, Davitt was the deputy general counsel for the Public Service Commission of Maryland, which regulates utilities in the state.

Davitt was named state prosecutor in 2010 by then-Gov. Martin O'Malley. Since then, he has pursued cases against defendants including former Baltimore County schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance, a former legislative aide to Mayor Catherine Pugh, and a number of police. corrections and local government officials across the state. Many of these cases have ended in guilty pleas.

Under state law, Davitt's successor will be nominated by the State Prosecutor Selection and Disabilities Commission and appointed by the governor for a six-year term.